Driving a go-kart on the road? It’s possible in Tokyo!
Tokyo, Japan – If you enjoy karting with friends, you've probably imagined leaving the track and hitting the surrounding roads, just for fun. It's a slightly crazy fantasy, weaving between cars and trucks. Some videographers have actually done it, illegally, in various videos posted on social media.
Don't worry, we're not encouraging you to organize an illegal karting excursion. As unlikely as it may seem, it is possible to drive these little speedsters legally on the road in Japan! To be legal, however, they must be equipped with certain safety features (headlights, taillights, turn signals, rearview mirrors, speedometer, and horn).
They also have a different license plate from cars and motorcycles, but similar to the three-wheeled scooters seen in Tokyo. Mechanically, the vehicles resemble normal karts, built around a tubular steel frame, without suspension and with direct steering without a rack. That said, they differ from the models we drive on tracks in Canada, particularly in terms of the engine.
It is a forced air-cooled, single-cylinder, 2-stroke engine with a displacement of 50 cc. There is no chain to drive the rear wheels, but rather a variator and clutch system in a sealed casing, similar to that of a scooter. A gear lever allows you to choose between three positions: “F” for forward, ‘N’ for neutral, and “R” for reverse. As for braking, there is no disc attached to the rear wheel axle or front wheels, but four small-diameter drums in each wheel, operated by cables.
At the wheel, a control inherited from a two-wheeler activates the main functions (turn signals, headlights, horn, and ignition switch). In all honesty, the electrical circuit seemed rather amateurish to us, with cables and connections scattered everywhere. But everything worked fine during our trip.
Thanks to a wide and relatively comfortable seat, the driving position is more relaxing than a go-kart designed for the track. The larger-than-usual wheels are equipped with grooved tires to drain rainwater. One last oddity: Japanese regulations for this type of vehicle do not require the wearing of a helmet! So it is with our hair blowing in the wind that we set out to explore the city of Tokyo.
When starting up, the small single-cylinder engine requires considerable effort on the right pedal to get going. The shrill sound and pungent smell of burnt oil typical of two-stroke engines annoys some participants and delights the nostalgic... including us!
Guided through the streets of Tokyo by an instructor perched on a Can-Am Ryker, we cruise the streets at the wheel of our little speedsters. Japan is not the country with the most large cars, far from it, but even the tiniest kei cars seem huge to us since we are so close to the ground! Sitting so low and without a helmet also makes the sensation of speed ten times greater. We pushed the vehicle to a maximum of 60 km/h, but we could have sworn it was much faster!
The karts accelerate less powerfully than an equivalent 2-stroke scooter, but have enough reserve power to merge into traffic. On the other hand, the brakes are really soft, with the four drums offering neither bite nor power. When approaching intersections, it is best to anticipate. In terms of comfort, the lack of suspension means you feel every bump in the road, but this is rare as the asphalt in Tokyo is generally quite smooth. A similar experience in Montreal would knock all your teeth out!
This tour of the city takes you through iconic Tokyo locations such as Ginza, Omotesando, Shinjuku, and the famous Shibuya pedestrian crossing. It's a great way to discover the Japanese metropolis in a different way, which we really enjoyed. This little kart train in the middle of the city amuses passersby, but annoys some motorists who don't hesitate to push you aside or force their way through. So you have to be careful about what's going on around you.
If you're tempted to try it, bear in mind that the smell of two-stroke engines may linger on your clothes, and that a pair of goggles is a good idea to keep the wind out of your eyes. It's also important to recognize that riding without any protection on a vehicle of this size carries a certain amount of risk in traffic. In the event of an accident with another vehicle, we prefer not to think about the consequences...
All in all, we loved the experience, which to our knowledge is not possible anywhere else in the world. If you're visiting Tokyo and you like go-karting, this getaway in the Japanese capital should be as much fun for you as it was for us!
